Greatest Security Day Ever

If you have ever heard me explain what I do at the Museum of Art you have probably heard me use the word boring. That's because my job is boring.

Or is it?

(Start dramatic music)

Today I only worked for two hours and they were the most eventful two hours of my security career.

First, as soon as I sat down at the information desk I knew something odd was going on. There was a group of students with a teacher. None of the students had shoes on. They turned on a portable stereo. And then....yes, they started to dance. Hi.La.Ri.Ous. All of the employees in the gift shop came out to watch and we had a hard time not cracking up.

Second, an older woman (mid to late 80's) believed she had lost her brother somewhere in the museum. I was sent to the fine arts center to search for him. Then police were called. Finally they found him, but there was a lot of effort put into it by the security team. The woman was very distraught and it was nice to be the one to tell her, "Ma'm, they found your brother."

Third, just when I thought the day had cooled off, things started getting crazy again. The dance crew was back and this time they brought props. Even funnier. Let me give you a general picture: ribbons, colorful sheets, classical operatic music. I think you get the idea.

On top of all of this, it was the first time I had ever been the senior guard in the building. Usually I work with Marlee and Kyle, but neither of them came in and the two replacements had less seniority than me. One of them had never closed the building before so I had to teach her everything.

See how fun security can be? Too bad that was one day out of what feels like an eternity in uniform.

Remember kids, even the most tedious work can be entertaining...but it hardly ever is so try and get a job doing something you actually enjoy.

Reform This

Due to the recent passage of President Obama's healthcare reform bill, my friends and I have been having open discussion of public policy. Today between classes I emailed the White House to express my opinion regarding the matter.

The fact that most disturbed me the contradiction between the support for this bill and President Obama's campaign promise of working with both parties to come to more compromise and establish policy that is best in the eyes of America. Here's why: Not a single Republican voted in favor of the bill and 35 Democrats voted against it. How is that America's voice? Can our best interests be determined by a majority faction? The Founders did not establish a direct democracy, but I doubt they intended on such a failure to listen to the American people. Already 9 states have brought a case against the passing of the bill claiming it is unconstitutional.

On a lighter note, there is a new vocabulary arising from this situation. There are two words:

1. Obama. As in "You totally Obama'd me." This refers to making a promise, especially one of compromise, and then turning your back on said promise. Perhaps you tell your friend that you will come to their party and don't show. That's Obama'ing.

2. Barack. As in "Are you Baracking me right now?" This refers to any time when someone is speaking you, particularly poignant if they are voicing an opinion, and you blatantly disregard what they say.

Anyway, try those out on your friends and see how it goes over.

As for me and my house, we will oppose this bill.

You're the Antibody to My Toxin

There's only one antidote for this venom

It's locked away, so so far away

I can taste the essence of it carried in on the ocean breeze

But with all the wind of a hurricane, not even one drop

And one drop is never enough

So I'll let the wound fester as I work my way there

To the distant wilderness, from whence the mist arises

I'll drink it up

I'll never leave the source again.

But just in case, I'll fill canteens

For should I be called away once more

The breeze would be torture to my parched lips

My open sore

My polluted veins

Could not bear the burden of illusions

I would die from mere despair

Which is the poison coursing in deep blue paths.

The Office

I have not spent a lot of productive time in the last few hours. Well, not productive according to school standards but according to maintaining my sanity, it has been great.

I watched a movie with friends, bought new shoes, caught up on episodes of The Office, made cookies, talked to my sweetheart and played guitar. What a day right? I loved it.

Watching The Office always makes me think of Molly. I completely identify with Jim. Molly would be Pam, obviously. Somehow that show makes me feel not so far away. It's incredible to think that with all the real-life examples I have, it's these two fictional characters that help me keep my head on straight.

Seeing as I'm bored and avoiding sleep, here's a random survey I found and felt like filling out:

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?
Near the ocean.

2. What’s your favorite article of clothing?
My only good pair of jeans.

3. Favorite pair of shoes?
My brand new ones.

4. What’s the last cd you bought?
The new album from Motion City Soundtrack. Amazing.

5. Where’s your favorite place to be?
Walking around with Molly.

6. Where is your least favorite place to be?
In the HFAC. For real.

7. What’s your favorite place to be massaged?
Upper back and shoulders.

8. Strong in mind or strong in body?
Both I suppose.

9. What time do you wake up in the morning?
8:00 usually. Except for Tuesdays.

10. What is your favorite kitchen appliance?
Refrigerator. Duh.

11. What makes you really angry?
My Jazz History professor's tests.

12. If you could play any instrument at all, what would it be?
Trumpet, but I would have to be able to play like Louis Armstrong. Otherwise it's violin.

13. Which do you prefer…sports car or SUV?
SUV if it's a Jeep Wrangler. Sports car otherwise.

14. Do you believe in an afterlife?
Yes I do.

15. Favorite children’s book?
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

16. What is your favorite season?
Fall in California. It's regionally specific.

17. What is your least favorite household chore?
Taking out the trash here in my apartment.

18. If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Invincibility. Is that fair? If not, I choose super speed. I would run home tonight.

19. If you have a tattoo, what is it?
No, just a birthmark.

20. Can you juggle?
Not with more than two spherical objects.

21. The one person from your past you wish you could go back and talk to?
Lots of friends in Chile. They're alive but it is impossible to go back for now.

22. What’s your favorite day?
Friday. I can stay up late and not worry about homework or school or getting up early.

23. What’s in the trunk of your car?
Squeegee, Febreeze, window cleaner, three tennis balls, snow scraper/brush, paper towels, water bottles.

24. Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger?
Hamburger. Always.

That may or may not provide some insight into my life. Have a good night.

Crazy Dreams

I hardly ever remember my dreams after I wake up. Lately, however, I have remembered bits and pieces more frequently. Some things I know come directly from television because otherwise I would not be attacked by a random angry guy and then have to pull karate moves on him.

My dreams apparently used to not affect me so much while I was sleeping. I would wake up and my hair would be pretty much the same as when I went to bed. For the last two months I have woken up with the craziest hair and my sheets all messed up. I think my dreams are causing me to move more while I sleep. It's weird. I think I may run in bed. Guess it'll burn more calories.

Faster

I failed to mention this in earlier posts, but I am toying with a concept for my first book. I have absolutely no time to work on it at all. But if I did, I would love it. Maybe Molly and I can take a hiatus once I graduate and I can write it.

Anyway, it's about how the human race is obsessed with going faster. Take, for example, these three things: the internet, microwaves, and high-speed motorcycles. Basically I would love to delve into how the processes of gaining knowledge, cooking, and traveling have changed, always toward greater speed.

I also thought of The Matrix, where all knowledge can be downloaded instantaneously. That is our society's concept of the future.

Right, well, I've probably bored you to death. Thanks for reading anyway. I'll see you all next time. Well no I won't. Really I'll only see the names of people who comment. The rest of you will remain anonymous.

Attacked By Life

That's right, today I felt attacked by life. But in the way that your older brother would attack you when you walk in the door after school and wrestle you to the ground. It's a good thing if you've never experienced it.

It all began with passing up the New Found Glory concert. I have always wanted to go, but the circumstances just didn't feel right, so I decided to stay home.

After a boring review session for my New Testament exam I decided to unwind with my favorite movie. "Stranger Than Fiction" just arrived last week in the mail from Netflix and I'd been saving it for such an occasion as this. I popped the disc in my computer and was amazed at how much I still love its simplistic brilliance. During the movie I made cookies. Then I saw the unintentional connection: the tax man's first incredible experience and really the catalyst for the rest of the plot was when he took a bite of a freshly baked cookie. That was the first of many such seemingly random strings attaching things.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the movie I decided to take some cookies to my friends Ethan and Katie. I met them through Molly, so naturally on my drive to their house I was thinking about her. I usually am. I turned on the car radio and out spewed the lyrics sung by Tom Delonge of Blink 182, "Here we go, life's waiting to begin." You may not see the connection but I certainly did. It was almost eery.

I turned off the radio once the song ended and immediately I felt my phone begin to vibrate. I thought it might be a text from Molly so I pulled it out despite the obvious road hazards. It turned out to be my hometeachee (spell check says that word doesn't exist) Emily. She called with a survey question. It read: "What do you want out of life?" Having just watched my favorite movie and all of the attached oddities, I felt quite prepared to respond. My answer was concise: "I want to make myself and at least one other person happy." At the root of my answer were many things. First my love for my future wife Molly. If there's anyone I want to make happy, it's her. Second was my recent understanding that I can't please everyone. First I must be okay with what is going on and then I can worry about how that affects the people around me. I wrote a blog about that a few weeks ago when I bailed on a bonfire.

Needless to say the survey hit me like a ton of silly putty.

The call ended. I arrived at Ethan and Katie's house. I felt instantly like I was with friends who appreciated me. How could they not? I baked them cookies. Really though, I have felt lately like one of my friends has really let me down, like I'm just a friend when there's nothing better to do and nowhere better to be. So being there helped me reach a point emotionally that I needed.

What a day right? In summation the past few hours have been a sort of surreal experience in which everything is connected by an invisible bond. I would call them covalent bonds since they're more sharing than taking away from each other (thanks chem 102). My body and mind have been filled with a feeling akin to what the hippies explained as man and earth becoming one. It all fit.

Now I'm not sure if that made sense to you, but it was one of the most incredible terrestrial episodes of my life. Who would've imagined that a Tuesday night would have that in store for me?

Sunday and Fatherly Perspective

What a day, huh?

This morning I woke up just in time to get my clothes on and go to church. It turned out to be a lovely fast and testimony meeting and I decided to bear my testimony about the blessings received on both ends of home teaching. I felt really good about it. Then I taught Sunday School and thanks to my great participants in class, the lesson turned out great. I love teaching and can hardly wait for the day when I am a professor. I am absolutely sure that teaching is one of my callings in life.

My roommate Ben (current grad student and BYU Spanish teacher) taught priesthood class with a brilliant powerpoint and a beautiful video clip of D. Todd Christofferson's talk "Let Us Be Men" that filled the room with the Spirit. That really made me feel good.

I got home and after receiving fast offerings with Ben and a nice long nap, my good mood wore off. I watched the CES broadcast which was good. But progressively I started feeling more lonely and sad. Sundays have been hard for me when Logan and Mike don't come over because I feel very alone. I ended up calling my family and crying a bit over the phone. I told them how much I miss being with them and seeing Molly every day.

Then my dad helped to put things in perspective for me. He told me a sad tale of a man he knows who is being confronted with terrible trials that I can hardly fathom. Slowly I became more cheerful and as our conversation drew to a close I no longer felt alone.

For me, spending time with people I love is hugely important. Being away from those people is something I have never struggled with as much as I do now. I am grateful for the perspective of a wise father and the love of my perfect Father. Those and other things are helping me to overcome these trying times and remember that I am so blessed to be where I am doing what I do.

I am going to call Molly now. It's the highlight of every day. Her voice alone makes me feel peace. I hope you all have someone you can call and hear them say "I love you."

Happy Sunday everyone.

Here's a List For You

Top Five Things Not to Do When Your Fiancee Lives In Another State:

5. Expect more than one friend to be free on a weekend.

4. Go to a concert by yourself on campus. Who isn't on a date but you?

3. Think about renting a movie from the Red Box. Lots of couples.

2. Go to the grocery store on a Friday night. Couples are all over there too.

1. Throw yourself a pity party on your own blog. Alone.

Some days just go slower than others.

It's like this tonight.

All Things Considered

I really wish I had an amazing post to place beneath such an excellent title. It's based on one of my favorite radio talk shows from NPR. (I like it way more than the guy who pretends to be Benjamin Franklin).

Anyway, today it was about 55 degrees outside when I ran to the gym. No clouds, no cold gusts of wind, nothing foreboding about the weather.

And then...

it started to rain.

And then...

it began to snow.

My best guess is that nature was in one of those moods where you don't quite know how you feel, but you feel something. Hence the fluctuations.

The end of the semester draws nigh. Slowly but surely. I'll make it. More importantly we'll make it.

Oh and I forgot to mention some good news: My friend Mitchell from San Diego is coming up and we're going to hang out next weekend! I'm really excited. I have not seen him since winter semester 2007. It's been a while.

Ok, bed time for reals. I will leave you with this.